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Child Visitation- Parents are often concerned about their children when they are away — even when they are just visiting their other parent. It can be particularly challenging when you have sole physical custody and you’re used to your child spending a lot of their time with you.
You might be curious if you have the right to know the whereabouts of your child is during visitation time for many reasons. Perhaps your ex typically drops your child off late, you question if they’ll take your child without your consent, or you don’t believe your ex’s partner is suited to be around your child.
At the same time, there could be reasons why you don’t want to disclose your child’s whereabouts. It could be challenging to communicate peacefully with your ex or hazardous for them to know where you reside.
Handling the disclosure of your child’s location is not simple. It could leave you distressed and negatively affect the relationship between the two of you. Nevertheless, you can plan in advance to avoid arguments or use other ways to keep track your child’s whereabouts devoid of contacting their other parent.
Do I have the right to know the whereabouts of my child is during visitation time?
What am I able do to figure out where my child is at?
Should I monitor my child’s whereabouts?
Source:
The right to know where your child is during visitation. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2021, from https://www.custodyxchange.com/topics/custody/advice/right-to-know-where-child-is.php.
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FAQ
Do I have the right to know where my child is during visitation?
You may require the other parent to disclose your child’s whereabouts during visitation when that requirement is included in a custody order. Without such an order, the other parent may not be obligated to provide the child’s location.
How can a location-disclosure requirement be added to a custody order?
Both parents may agree to include the requirement, or one parent may seek a court modification of the existing custody order.
Can the other parent travel with the child when there is no custody order?
Yes. Without a custody order, the other parent may legally travel with the child. The article recommends establishing a custody order through the appropriate state process or alternative dispute resolution.
Should I call the police if the other parent will not disclose my child’s location?
The article advises against calling the police because doing so may damage the relationship between the parents and cause anxiety for the child. It recommends first discussing why knowing the child’s location is important in case of an emergency.
Can I track my child using a smartphone or smartwatch?
Although tracking technology may be tempting, the article states that monitoring someone without their knowledge is inappropriate. The child and the other parent should be informed beforehand, and their wishes should be respected.
